TIMP2

TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2, a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, also known as TIMP2, is a human gene, thought to be a metastasis suppressor.

Function

This gene is a member of the TIMP gene family. The proteins encoded by this gene family are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases, a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix. In addition to an inhibitory role against metalloproteinases, the encoded protein has a unique role among TIMP family members in its ability to directly suppress the proliferation of endothelial cells. As a result, the encoded protein may be critical to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis by suppressing the proliferation of quiescent tissues in response to angiogenic factors, and by inhibiting protease activity in tissues undergoing remodelling of the extracellular matrix. TIMP-2 functions as both an MMP inhibitor and an activator. TIMPs inhibit all active MMPs, but different TIMPs inhibit different MMPs better than other TIMPs. For example, TIMP-1 inhibits MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-1 and MMP-3 better than TIMP-2, and TIMP-2 inhibits MMP-2 more effectively than other TIMPs.

In melanocytic cells TIMP2 gene expression may be regulated by MITF.

Interactions

TIMP2 has been shown to interact with:

• MMP14 and
• MMP2.

See also

• TIMP1, TIMP3, TIMP4

External links

• The MEROPS online database for peptidases and their inhibitors: I35.002